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Watch Dubai blow away every other fireworks show ever

By Staff, The Associated Press

Updated:
12/31/2013 08:40:13 PM EST

Dubai, a Persian Gulf nation known for glitz, glamour and over-the-top achievements like the world's tallest skyscraper, sought to break another record by creating the largest fireworks show in history.

At midnight, the Dubai skyline lit up with more than 500,000 fireworks in a light show that engulfed the city's man-made, palm-shaped island, with its fronds and trunk shimmering in thousands of lights. In total, the extravaganza included over 500,000 fireworks from 400 firing locations synchronized by 100 computers, said Barrett Wissman, co-chairman of IMG Artists, which was managing the event.

The fireworks display is expected to be certified as the largest ever by Guinness World Record officials, who were on hand to measure the scale of the event, which needed to be longer than five minutes to qualify.

Kuwait has held the record of largest fireworks show since last year, when it fired more than 77,000 fireworks in a display lasting more than an hour.